Dog-eat-dog for entries into Noosa Festival of Surfing

STOP chasing your tail because Noosa Festival of Surfing entries are now open online and there are a few precious pooches who better start snapping at their owner's heels about entering this event.

You'd be barking up the wrong tree if you thought this division was a walk in the park.

It is a real dogfight as competitors, man and his best friend, battle their way through heats to the finals to determine who the real top dog at the Point is.

The Sunshine Coast Daily spoke with Chris de Aboitiz about his involvement in the event and his shot at the title this year.

Who was the top dog at the Point last year?

"We've been competing at the event for a number of years. It's a whole load of fun but we didn't win last year. I think Pugsly took out the title and won a dog bowl," he said.

Can an old dog learn new tricks?

"Absolutely - I usually take my older dog Lani as she likes to ride up front and then for our new trick Rama likes to ride on my shoulders."

Competition looks fierce, is it a real dogfight out there?

"Yep, every man and his dog are out there wanting to win. I think we might even see a few girls out there this year."

Any dirty dog tactics out there in competition?

"The cute factor works, they say you shouldn't work with kids and animals but that's what won the competition last year. It's a friendly rivalry and it's all in good fun."

Any new talent on the horizon to run with the big dogs?

"Yeah, it's good to see there is starting to be more surfers with dogs. If you want to try, we run regular clinics in preparation for Noosa Festival of Surfing and the Vetshop Australia Dog Surfing Spectacular where we teach people how to have better relationships with their dogs.

"In our clinic we show people how to put their dog on the board in flat water because you can't just take them out in the surf, there are skills you need to learn."